Photo gallery: Aldborough school’s modern version of Wizard of Oz

Dorothy and her talking dog Toto met disco-dancing Munchkins and a pair of Blues Brothers-inspired tin men in Aldborough Primary School’s 21st century production of the classic pantomime, The Wizard of Oz, which ran in the school hall this week.

Written and directed by Key Stage 2 teacher Jill Morgan, with the help of teaching assistant Claire Taylor, the show featured songs by the Bee Gees, Michael Jackson and Pink Floyd, as well as a blues rap number penned by head of music Sam Lockhart.

It followed the adventures of Dorothy and Toto as they attempt to find their way back home to Aldborough, with the pair teaming up with an array of characters before setting off to see the famous Wizard of Oz.

After wandering through a wild wood and escaping the clutches of a trio of wicked witches, the intrepid group meet up with Wiz, the groovy gatekeeper to the Emerald City.

Mrs Morgan, who has written the annual show since 1996, said taking part in pantomime reaped benefits for pupils, who gave up their lunch breaks and after school time to rehearse.

“The children gain so much from learning lines and working as a team and we find that, academically, they have improved during the spring term as a result,” she added.

Parents and staff helped with the production, working on costumes, lighting, props, sound and choreography, with the school’s Friends group running a raffle and laying on refreshments.

“It has been a real community effort, the whole of Key Stage 2 has been involved and I am very proud of the children for all their hard work,” Mrs Morgan said.